The 2023 ruth weiss Foundation Poetry Awards
Thank you to all the amazing poets who applied.
The 2023 grant submissions are now closed. Our committee are reviewing all the entries.
The ruth weiss Foundation and the United Nations Association, Los Angeles Chapter are partnering for November 20th UN World Children's Day to raise awareness of the impacts of war on children and discuss solutions through art, poetry, and film.
The finalists and winners will be announced on November 20th, 2023, and the winners will have a chance to perform in honor of the United Nations World Children’s Day.
Stay tuned for more announcements soon.
The ruth weiss Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities to support poetic artists through our annual grant program.
In 2023, the Foundation will be offering $6,000 in prizes that seek out works of verbal and stylistic originality. The poet ruth weiss was a child survivor of World War II and dedicated her entire life to raising awareness of the ramifications of war on children.
Most famously, coloring her hair teal to stand out as an anti-war advocate for children. So when people questioned why her hair was teal, she would say, “because war is bad for children.”
Every child is meant to be safe and free to grow as a child. This year’s poetry prompt will focus on the effects of war on children.
Prompt: War is bad for children. What is good for children?
The Award Ceremony will be held on November 20th 2023, UN World Children’s Day in partnership with the United Nations Association - Los Angeles Chapter in person and virtually.
Categories for grant applicants include:
MAVERICK POET AWARD - $2,500 Grant.
The Maverick Poet Award is open to all poets that embody the spirit of the maverick; whether published or not. Maverick poets question standard assumptions, standing apart, and making the radical an everyday act. Since they are unconventional, and rebellious, writing poems comes naturally to them. The award embodies independence, often taking the non-conformist or unorthodox stance in thought and action.
EMERGING POET AWARD - $1,500 Grant.
Emergent poets include many writers who have a passion for writing. ruth weiss championed emerging poets throughout her long life as a bellwether writer nurturing the next generation of poets. She supported the up-and-coming, seeking the next new voice. The Emerging poet has an insatiable desire to write poetry. Poetry sets their life’s pattern, whether just starting out or well into a writing journey.
YOUTH POET AWARD - $1000 Grant.
Poetry provides what youth requires, a path to the genuine, the original, the heretical, the shocking, the sensitive, and the one-of-a-kind human individual. Our secondary schools are full of young people who speak brashly to the world. They have things to say that have never been told in ways that have never been seen before. Once upon a time, the Beat poets invaded the consciousness of a generation by speaking in tongues that resonated with the young. Today there lurks a new battalion of youth who command our attention. They want to take poetry in new directions to suit a new world. We should listen.
THE SCHOOL POETRY AWARD - $900 - Three $300 School Donation/Poet Grants
For schools and educators fostering safe and inclusive environments for immigrant and refugee children Grades 4 - 12. Three schools and educators submitting a Vision and Personal statement will be eligible to receive a cash award of $300 to be awarded to their school. Students can and do teach us about resilience and bravery. Teachers use poetry to help such students write about their experiences and tell their stories. Our mission in awarding this grant is to help ease the financial burden on schools impacted by war to fund the creative and poetic pursuits of students.
HONORARY MENTION AWARD - $100
Gifted to an exceptional poet that stood out, but was runner up to one of the other categories.
Submission Details:
“Every child has the right to health, education, and protection, and every society has a stake in expanding children’s opportunities in life. Yet, millions of children worldwide are denied a fair chance for no reason other than the country, gender, or circumstances into which they are born.” - United Nations.
Humankind is faced with a planet out of balance, beset by poverty, climatic disasters and, most of all, war. They invent new ways of viewing the world, directly influencing people's awareness of moral values and behaviors. They endeavor, awaken interest, and promote action. The mission of ruth weiss Foundation is to encourage poets in their quest to change the world for the better.
Vision and Personal Statement (325 - 400 words max) Submit in writing your journey as a poetic artist and how the funds will help you further your dreams or assist with financial needs.
Write or submit a new poem, never before published.
Poem format: 6x9 Word Document; no more than one pages, 12 - point font. Download Template
English translations of poems written by international poets must stand on their own in English.
If an applicant is experiencing financial hardship and requires a waiver for the submission fee, please email us at info@ruthweissfoundation.org explaining your situation. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and we are committed to considering requests for fee waivers on a case-by-case basis.